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Wake up RAM

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Have not purchased one yet. Test drove a 2020 5500 yesterday. Must have had 4.88s. NO THANKS. Too much RPM. I am in the market over the next year. If RAM does not announce an 8-10 speed this year I will go to a 450 Ford.
 
After my experience with my last two RAM trucks... Unless RAM gets their sh#t together I will not buy another. The Cummins engine was the only reason that I bought the 13 I’m currently driving. Everything else about it you can keep. As outdated as my 1989 truck was it was a Million times better than the 12 and 13 trucks I owned have proven t be. Electronic gremlins and poor quality components have plagued my last two trucks to the point that I’m willing to give the Blue Oval a try.
Remember one thing team Blue oval didn’t take a Gov bailout to stay in business....
I’m not saying they are the answer. I’m just fed up with the Quality and lack of support FCA has put out of late. Recalls with No repair parts available?! Wielding the Jamb nuts as “A Fix” for the drag link issue!!!
I don’t give a rats a&& about a 12” Vidieo display on the dash that blinds me at night. I just want the stupid truck to start and run with basic maintenance for 200k miles. I have been loyal to Dodge since 1990. As I said my 89 and my 05 trucks were by far the best trucks I ever owned. Somewhere along the way RAM lost their way. All flash and very little bang...
 
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This is like looking at the muscle cars on the TV auctions. Just about as much reality. I’ll never get near one of these- too far out of my league in bucks. So at this point it don’t matter who makes it.
I do agree that Ram had better step up to the plate. As of late, I’m finding it harder and harder to complain about Ford. Engineering and resource wise, Ram can’t tie Ford’s shoes, but that has gotten Ford in trouble before.
 
Have not purchased one yet. Test drove a 2020 5500 yesterday. Must have had 4.88s. NO THANKS. Too much RPM. I am in the market over the next year. If RAM does not announce an 8-10 speed this year I will go to a 450 Ford.

Why do you want a 8 or 10 speed transmission? I see no benefit for one, I am using the 68RFE auto and the TQ of the Cummins matches my 6 speed correctly. Granted my truck is a 2008, but I can tow all day long at 1500RPM'S doing 60 to 65 MPH in 6th gear.
I am using a Smarty S67 set on CatCHER Level 3, 4X4 with 3:73 gears tires are LT285/7R17 (33X11.5R17) 126R.

One thing I personally do not Like about the 6.7L Powerstroke engine is the buried turbo between the cylinder heads. The cylinder heads had to be redesigned to allow the turbo to be driven by the exhaust gasses, which is opposite any other engine design. With all that captured heat around this turbo design, this location will allow that turbo to cook over time. Another item about the Ford you need to remove the cab to do any work on this engine just like the 6.0L and 6.4L engines.
 
I actually like the reverse flow of the cylinder head. No need for exhaust manifolds and up pipes to eat up that heat energy and slow down the flow to the turbo. Heat rises. And turbo’s are designed to run with hot exhaust heat. I don’t see an issue as long as you allow some cool down time. Which you should with any turbo after running hard.
I went to adjust my valves on the 13 the other day. Over 130k on the clock now. I gave up when I couldn’t get the valve cover gasket to not lift off the engine. Last thing I needed was a broken injector harness 4 hours before my shift at work started. Had I pulled off the cab the job would have been way easier. Lol. I’m getting to the point that if it’s more than filters and brakes. Let the dealer deal with it. My tools don’t speak computer.
 
I'm coming up on 2 years of having the F150. I can't speak to the 6.7L or the SuperDuty line. But the 150 is spot on in just about every category. Fit, finish, performance, cab design and ergonomics. visibility, seating position, economy, towing capacity and stability, etc. are just spot on in my opinion.

I can't and will not ever tell anyone what to do with their money, but you simply can't dismiss what Ford is doing with their trucks.
 
My brother has a ‘17 F-250 and I find the fit and finish to be lacking compared to my Ram. It does have some things I like and it also lacks some of the things I like.

8-10 might not be needed but it will have to happen to keep up with marketing. If you look at the ratios on the Ford 10 speed they gave a overall 1st gear lower, with their 3.55 axles, than an AISIN and 4.10’s. That means better starting and the final drive is still tall enough for empty cruise. They also have 3 gears perfect for highway towing speeds with 1:1 right in the middle. There will be some distinct advantages if Ram sets the ratios correctly.
 
Another item about the Ford you need to remove the cab to do any work on this engine just like the 6.0L and 6.4L engines.

I laughed at Ford having to remove the cab when it first came out. Now, not so much. I’ve seen dealers have the cab lifted in 45 minutes making it much easier to work on. It took the local Ram dealer two days to fix my 3rd brake light leak.
 
If you have the right gearing everything in life is better. Older Dodge trucks didn’t have much in gearing but made up for it with the Cummins brute force.

I can’t speak for the F series trucks. I have only driven 3 . Two F150’s one was a diesel one gas. And one Super Duty. I really liked the SD the transmission responded the most like a manual of any auto unit I have ever driven. I felt in total control. Between the engine brake and it always seeming to find the right gear it was an absolute pleasure to drive. I hate the way my RFE 68 will “disconnect “ when you really want it to stay in gear and hold your speed while going down hill. The SD acted like a manual going down hills. Engine brake while not as strong as the Cummins system worked better and I didn’t have to use the service brakes on the hill.
The F150 diesel was impressive. Quiet and very responsive. No engine brake or at least I didn’t find it. The days of my requiring a 3/4 ton truck are coming to an end. So a 1500 or 150 truck my just be enough. 5 more years. I just want 5 more years out of my current 2013 RAM. 5 years without a truck payment. Then I’ll make a choice. RAM you have 5 years to get your act together!!!!
If the Burn from Vt and the dreaded AOC from Ny have there way there will not be a diesel to be found in 5 years. God help us all if they win the Whitehouse.....
 
The 12" display doesn't blind you at night:p

It can be dimmed and so can the 8.4Nav.

Have not purchased one yet. Test drove a 2020 5500 yesterday. Must have had 4.88s. NO THANKS. Too much RPM. I am in the market over the next year. If RAM does not announce an 8-10 speed this year I will go to a 450 Ford.

4.88s are certainly not for everyone, I LIKE 'EM, nice having the 19K Lb GVWR too. Will you change your handle when you get you new Ford?

Cheers, Ron
 
Ford transmission runs HOT. MY 6 speed is always in the correct gear towing 34-35k combined in all temps and grades runs 165-175.

Ford might want it to run hot, I mean they are surely aware of the temps it runs and they still give the fluid a 150K mile service life.

There certainly are benefits to hotter fluid. In the past the fluid is what can’t handle the heat, but that’s not as much the case anymore.
 
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